1998 Ohio State Auditor election

1998 Ohio State Auditor election

←  1994 November 3, 1998 2002  →

Nominee Jim Petro Louis N. Strike Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,975,793 1,191,250 Percentage 62.39% 37.61%

Petro:     50–60%     60–70%     70-80% Strike:     50–60%     60–70%

State Auditor before election Jim Petro Republican Elected State Auditor Jim Petro Republican

The 1998 Ohio State Auditor election was held on November 3, 1998, to elect the Ohio State Auditor. Primaries were held on May 3, 1998. Republican incumbent Ohio State Auditor Jim Petro won the election in a landslide, defeating Democratic opponent Louis N. Strike with 62.39% of the vote.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Petro, incumbent Ohio State Auditor (1995–2003)

Campaign

Petro won renomination without opposition.

Results

Republican primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Petro	609,292	100.00%
Total votes			609,292	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Louis N. Strike

Campaign

Strike won the Democratic nomination without opposition.

Results

Democratic primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Louis N. Strike	555,903	100.00%
Total votes			555,903	100.00%

General election

Results

1998 Ohio State Auditor election results ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jim Petro	1,975,793	62.39%	+3.91%
	Democratic	Louis N. Strike	1,191,250	37.61%	−3.91%
Total votes			3,167,043	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

1. "Republican Overview: May 3, 1998 - Ohio Secretary of State". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
2. "Democratic Overview: May 3, 1998 - Ohio Secretary of State". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
3. "Attorney General and State Auditor: November 3, 1998 - Ohio Secretary of State". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved October 27, 2025.